June 14, 2018 10:28am EDTJune 14, 2018 10:28am EDTGoal chronicles the key numbers that have marked the Super Eagles participation at the quadrennial world football fiestaSuper Eagles at Fifa World Cup in numbers

Shina Oludare

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Rashidi Yekini Nigeria Bulgaria 1994 World Cup

As the Super Eagles prepare for their sixth appearance at the Fifa World Cup in Russia, Goal gives an account of the Nigeria national team's outing in the competition’s history in numbers.

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Sani Kaita

1- The number of red cards received by any Super Eagles player since making their debut at the USA 1994 World Cup. Sani Kaita was given his marching orders by referee Olegario Benquerenca in the 33rd minute against Greece in a group stage game at the Durban Stadium on June 6, 2010.

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Daniel Amokachi

2 - The number of goals scored by Kalu Uche, Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amuneke who are Nigeria’s joint highest goal scorers.

3 - The number of times Nigeria have drawn a game at the tournament. The first was recorded against 3 - England in Korea/Japan 2002, the second was in the country’s last group game versus South Korea in 2010. The Super Eagles’ 0-0 draw with Iran was the third time it occurred.

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Vincent Enyeama Lionel Messi Nigeria Argentina

4 - The number of times Nigeria have faced Argentina, with the Super Eagles losing every time to the South Americans. Both countries will meet at this year's edition in Russia for a record fifth time.

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Taribo West

4 - This number also represents the most goals conceded in a single match by Nigeria at the mundial. The Super Eagles were spanked 4-1 by Denmark in a second round encounter at France 98 in a match played at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis on June 28, 1998.

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Kanu Nwankwo

5 - The number of games Nigeria have won in five Fifa World Cup tournaments, a record that falls far short of the all-time record (held by Brazil with 70 wins). The Super Eagles have lost 10 matches while they have secured a draw just thrice.

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Peter Odemwingie Blaise Matuidi France Nigeria World Cup 06302014

5 - The number of victories over European countries by the Super Eagles. They defeated Bulgaria and Greece at USA '94, Spain and Bulgaria at France '98 plus Bosnia in 2014

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Nigeria World Cup 1994

7- Most goals scored in a tournament. This was achieved at USA 94 where Clemens Westerhof’s Eagles found the back of the net seven times in four games. Whereas at South Korea/Japan 2002, Nigeria recorded their least number of goals with just one, from Julius Aghaowa, against Sweden in a 2-1 defeat.

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Siasia

8 - The number of minutes when Samson Siasia scored Nigeria’s fastest goal in World Cup history. He achieved this feat with his strike on June 25, 1994 against Argentina at the Foxborough Stadium.

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Enyeama and Yobo

10 -This figure accounts for the most appearances made by a Nigerian player in senior World Cup history. Joseph Yobo boasts of this record with 10 games in three Fifa World Cups.

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Nigeria fan

15 - The number of times Nigeria have failed to make it to the world stage. Their first black-out was at the inaugural edition staged in Uruguay in 1930, and they remained on the outside until Italia 90, before eventually making their debut in the 15th edition hosted by the United State of America. The country last missed out of the competition in 2006 when Angola beat them to the ticket.

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Femi Opabunmi

17- Femi Opabunmi is the youngest-ever Nigerian to have represented the country at 17 years, three months and nine days. He is the third youngest player ever after Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside (17years, one month and 10 days) at Espana '82 and Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto’o Fils (17years, three months and seven days) at France '98.

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Austine Okocha

18 - The number of matches Nigeria have played at Fifa World Cups, making them the second-highest playing African country in the history of the competition after Cameroon.

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Julius Aghahowa Nigeria Sweden 2002 World Cup

20 - Julius Aghahowa is the youngest Nigerian player to score at the Fifa World Cup at the age of 20 years and four months. He achieved this feat at the Home’s Stadium in Kobe where the Super Eagles lost 2-1 to Sweden. Aghahowa’s 27th minute strike put the Nigerians ahead before Henrik Larsson’s brace caged the Eagles.

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Rasheed Yekini

21 - On June 21, 1994 at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Nigeria made her debut in the Fifa World Cup by beating Bulgaria 3-0 with goals from Rashidi Yekini, Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amuneke

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Chinedu Obasi

28 - The number of yellow cards Nigeria have bagged in four appearances at the World Cup, an average of six cautions per tournament.

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Nigeria

32 – The country is ranked as the 32nd best country ever to have participated in the senior World Cup. Nigeria occupy the second spot in Africa with Cameroon occupying the 31st position in the world.

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Peter Odemwingie

32 - Nigeria’s oldest goal scorer in Fifa World Cup history is Peter Odemwingie at age 32. The goal came against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 21, 2014 at Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá

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Peter Rufai

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Sunday Oliseh

77- The minute in which Sunday Oliseh scored Nigeria's winning goal in a 3-2 defeat of pre-tournament favourites Spain at Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes on June 13, 1998. The cracker is regarded among the best World Cup goals.

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Nigeria fans

77,000- This is the record number of spectators to watch a Super Eagles game in the World Cup. This was set on June 28, 1998 at Stade de France in Nigeria’s second round 4-1 defeat against Denmark. The former European champions won with goals from Peter Moller, Brian Laudrup, Michael Laudrup, and Thomas Helveg. Tijani Babangida’s 77th-minute strike was little more than scant consolation.